Maryland attorneys are now receiving their annual notifications to pay the Client Protection Fund assessment and file pro bono and Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) reports via email. This change is part of the transition to the new Attorney Information System (AIS), which has replaced paper invoices and notices with electronic communication.
The email notifications regarding the annual assessment and reports will be sent around July 10. Attorneys must complete their reports and pay the assessment by September 10 each year. While pro bono and IOLTA reports must be submitted online, attorneys have the option to pay the Client Protection Fund assessment either online or through traditional mail using an invoice printed from AIS.
AIS serves as a comprehensive database for Maryland attorneys, maintained by court-related agencies supporting the Court of Appeals in regulating Maryland's legal profession. Pro bono service data collected through this system helps plan and promote such activities, while interest from IOLTA accounts funds civil legal aid programs in Maryland.
Maryland Rule 19-802(b) mandates all state attorneys register with AIS to ensure they receive necessary communications about their practice licenses. Changes effective January 1, 2019, consolidated various processes into a single compliance cycle, simplifying annual requirements for lawyers to maintain good standing.
For more details on attorney compliance requirements and AIS, visit https://mdcourts.gov/lawyers/ais.